Statechart-based Actors for Modelling and Distributed Simulation of Complex Multi-Agent Systems

This paper discusses the use of Theatre, a multi-agent simulation architecture, for the distributed simulation of discrete event systems (DESs) whose entities express complex behaviours. Complexity is dealt with by exploiting statechart-based actors which constitute the basic building blocks of a model. Actors are lightweight reactive autonomous agents that communicate to one another by asynchronous message passing. The threadless character of actors saves memory space and fosters efficient execution. The behaviour of actors is specified through “distilled statecharts” that enable hierarchical and modular specifications. Distributed simulation is accomplished by partitioning the system model among a set of logical processes (theatres). Timing management and inter-theatre communications rest on High Level Architecture (HLA) services. The paper highlights the current implementation status and demonstrates the practical application of the approach through a manufacturing system model.